Air Traffic Control Tower Opens at John C. Tune Airport®

An air traffic control tower has opened at John C. Tune Airport, adding to a growing list of enhancements that are raising the bar for the general aviation airport. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA), along with State Commissioner of Transportation Clay Bright and other officials, cut a ceremonial ribbon this week to mark the monumental occasion.

“The addition of an air traffic control tower enhances the safety and operational efficiency of John C. Tune Airport,” said MNAA President and CEO Doug Kreulen. “The tower adds to the progress of ‘Tune Taking Off,’ a multi-faceted redevelopment plan for the airport. It will play a critical role as aviation activity increases at JWN.”

Built by JE Dunn Construction and designed by Pond & Company and Atkins North America, the 99-foot tower is operated by air traffic controllers provided by Robinson Aviation Inc., a company contracted by the FAA Federal Contract Tower program.  Total cost of the tower is $10.1 million, paid for from a combination of MNAA funds and state grants.

The tower opening comes on the heels of last month’s groundbreaking for the ambitious redevelopment plan for JWN®, as the airport is also known. Underway now is phase 1, which will add both new aviation facilities and replace buildings destroyed in the March 3, 2020 tornado. As part of this phase, the design-build team of Messer Construction and Garver will build expanded ramp areas, add a new airport access point, construct 12 T-hangar buildings with 78 hangar bays totaling 96,720 square feet, four box hangar buildings with 12 hangar bays totaling 43,200 square feet and two shade port buildings with 10 bays totaling 14,235 square feet. Phase 1 is estimated to cost approximately $34.5 million and be complete by spring 2022.

 About John C. Tune Airport®

Located west of downtown Nashville, John C. Tune Airport (or JWN, as it is also known) is the reliever airport for Nashville International Airport®. It serves the needs of corporate and private aircraft and is the busiest general aviation airport in the state.

According to a recent study, in 2019 alone, JWN generated more than $1.4 million in state and local taxes, supported more than 350 jobs in the region and produced a total of $21.1 million of wages and salaries.

NASHVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT®, BNA®, ®, COMMANDER BERRY FIELD®, JOHN C. TUNE AIRPORT®, and JWN®, among others, are the registered trademarks and trademarks of The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (“MNAA”). Use of these trademarks without permission from MNAA is strictly prohibited.